The past few chapters had detailed the instructions for building the tabernacle. As we try to make sense of each of their details and their positions in the overall structure of the tabernacle, we also begin to realise that there are many sights, sounds, and smells the Israelites will have to encounter when they enter the courtyards of the tabernacle. The tabernacle was symbolic of God’s presence with His chosen people, but it was also a reminder of man’s sin, and how they are to consecrate and be holy before God.

In Exodus 30, we see the placement of the altar of incense and the bronze basin.

The altar of incense has a specific position, in front of the curtain separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (“And you shall put it in front of the veil that is above the ark of the testimony, in front of the mercy seat that is above the testimony, where I will meet with you.” Exodus 30:6). When the incense is lighted, the cloud covers as the High Priest enters the Most Holy Place once a year. In addition, Aaron was to burn the incense regularly every morning and evening (30:7-8), as an offering before the Lord throughout all the generations. The altar of incense is symbolic of God’s people solemn and acceptable worship reaching up to Him, and later on came to be symbolic of the prayers of His people (Psalm 141:2, Revelation 5:8).

The basin and its stand are to be made of bronze (30:17), but no measurements were given for its size. We read in Exodus 38:8 that it was made from the mirrors of the women who ministered at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting. The bronze basin is to be placed in the courtyard between the tabernacle and the altar, and be filled with water. Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet (30:19) before they enter the tent of meeting or when they come near the altar to minister, so that they may not die (30:20-21). Through the water in the bronze basin, God has provided means through which the priests can purify themselves in order to minister in His presence.

The bronze altar and the tent of meeting serve as a path through which the priests can take into the presence of God. First, sacrificial blood is shed at the bronze altar. Second, cleansing is necessary at the bronze basin. Third, the cloud of incense precedes the priest into the presence of God and protects the priest, before the priest finally enters into the presence of God. The articles in the tent are to be consecrated with the fragrant anointing oil (30:22-33), and a portion of the incense is to be placed in front of the Testimony (30:34-38).

Dear brothers and sisters, man have sinned, and God cannot stand sin. Sin is a stench of death before Him. However, God did not just forsake man. In Exodus, we see that God took the first step to dwell in the midst of man, and He gave specific instructions for the building of the tabernacle, so that man has a path to enter His presence, man are able to purify themselves before entering His presence, and the sweet aroma of the oil and incense covers the stench of death. How comforting it must be for the Israelites to know that God dwells amongst them, and they are able to access Him.

How about us then? For us in the new covenant, Jesus says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Dear brothers and sisters, Jesus is the way to God, no one can access God except through Jesus. His blood on the cross, His death and resurrection, has saved us from our sins, sins that would not allow us to enter into God’s presence. How comforting it is for us to know that we, too, have a path to God through the salvation given by Jesus Christ, and that God is amongst us, because the Holy Spirit indwells in us.

As we thank God for His salvation, may we also bring this good news to people around us, so that they, too, may know Jesus, and may enter into the presence of God.

Dear Jesus, help us to follow you closely, and to share your good news to people around us. All these we ask in Your name, Amen.